Rene arched any eyebrow at Solae as she passed. It was a matter of Imperial scientific doctrine that intelligent life was exceedingly rare and that starfaring life was even more so.  To here that the Kalderi had, or at least claimed to have, encountered other beings in the plural was a revelation. Kalderi space was a hard stop to Imperial expansion and exploration could there be Empires and peoples humans hand never encountered beyond their borders? Apparently so. It was possible it was a lie, but it was hard to see what would be gained by such a tactic. Perhaps if they were successful they could begin to explore such regions of the galaxy. Rene felt a sudden surge of anger directed at Duke Tan and his foolish rebellion. What wonders could they discover if they weren't wasting time killing each other over who ruled in the Eastern Cross or on Capella. He knew it had always been that way, humanity was a contentious race and had been since before they spread to the stars but it didn't make him any happier about it.

Kel'shaiel led them out of their rooms and into the mansion. Rene expected her to take them to some kind of chamber within the complex but instead she lead them out into a walled courtyard and then out through an exit between two ornamental pillars. Kalderi architecture it seemed, did not lend itself to doors, perhaps their wings gave them a different perspective than humans had on space. To Rene's surprise they emerged onto a cobbled street they had seen during the overflight. Kalderi in various costumes, close enough in style for Rene to imagine them as normal clothing, walked here and there on whatever errands they were about, some carrying small bundles the purpose of which could only be guessed at.

"I apologize," Kel'shaiel stated as she began to walk down the hill towards where the cliffs dropped off into the sea.

"We Kalderi do not travel far from our residences if we can avoid it, and have little use for the transport cars humans seem to require," she explained. Rene and Solae shared a glance as they puzzled over the meaning of that statement. Transportation varied by world and by areas within a given world on many poorer colonies air cars were unknown and even diesel engines were rare and reserved for agricultural equipment. Conversely on the richer worlds it was a rare family that did not possess at least a ground car. On Capella itself transportation was restricted to subterranean rail lines, or anti-grav palanquins within the Imperial City itself, on account that air traffic posed to great a threat to the Empress. Perhaps their alien hosts were less omniscient than they seemed. 

The street wound it's way to the edge of the steep cliff where an elegant turret concealed a very functional looking elevator. Rene glanced over the edge and saw some sort of disturbance in the waters below, though from this height it was unclear what. There seemed to be a faint shimmer on the clear waveless water. Kel'shaiel made an appologetic sound, having evidently noticed the looks they gave the elevator.

"Our appologies," she said, casting her eyes downward in a gesture that Rene didn't know the significance of, "We, that is the Kalderi, would glide down, this is a freight elevator." Solae nodded her acceptance and stepped onto the metal plate followed by Rene and the rest of the party. Kel'shaiel pulled back a wire cage from a crude but functional looking control panel and depressed a switch. Cable began to whir through an unseen winch and the elevator lowered smoothly for a minute or two, though the only indication of this was the slight variations in the shaft around them.

The doors opened when they reached the bottom to reveal a strange vista. In front of them was what appeared to be a natural cavern, though it had been improved and smoothed to act as a staging area. Beyond it was the sea. The bottom of the sea. A great amphitheater had been opened beneath the water as though by magic, millions of gallons of water held aloft by some sort of force projection technology as though the ocean itself formed the ceiling of the room, fish, or analogues of fish glittered about the edges, their jewel like scales catching the soft light cast by lumination crystals. Corridors had been formed by similar fields making walkways and boulevards beneath the waves. Great reefs of colorful luminescent coral were separated from the viewer by nothing more six inches of water filling the air with a strange shifting light, prismatic and alive. The floor was dry, composed of what appeared to be the native rock, though it had been polished far beyond the ability of nature so that it shone like the night sky, tiny inclusions of glimmering as imitation stars. It was obvious that the area was kept this way enough that nature hadn't worn away the careful artistry of the place.

"Whoa," Rosaria said as they followed their guide through the underwater corridor to the first and largest of the visible rooms. Kalderi were already moving about, setting up tables in strange irregular patterns around the perimeter of the space. It was disconcerting to see such a mundane activity taking place in so fantastic a setting. Rosaria reached out a hand to the wall curiously.

"Wait don't..." Rene began but Rosaria's hand had already passed through the insubstantial divide between air and water. A jet of liquid erupted around her fingers and she pulled her hand back with a yelp of surprise. The breach closed with the slow rippling effect of a pond reacting to the introduction of a pebble. Rene resisted the urge to scold the girl, it wouldn't be diplomatically appropriate, but it could have just as easily have been a lethal does of static electricity that shot up her arm as several liters of sea water. Rosaira, for her part looked abashed, rubbing her fingers against her thigh. Rene realized that though the water looked placid, they were at least fifty meters down and the over pressure must be considerable. Kel'shaiel at least choose to ignore the incident.

"You can see why Lithyll judged it wise to show you the venue in advance," she said, transitioning smoothly.

"Some are claustrophobic, and it is best not to discover this at the last moment."